Special Events
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UCSC Campus Events
Some campus events have special permit parking and reserved lots or spaces. Please check these pages for parking guidance at these events.
Event Parking Support
Event Parking manages guest parking and traffic movement on campus for events that require on-campus parking for 15 or more vehicles.
Paid Event Parking provides:
- Optimal designated parking lots – for your guests’ convenience and to share parking resources
- VIP space(s) – when one or more guests need a secured parking space reserving VIP spaces
- Parking lot signage – the name of your event at the parking lot entrance with event-specific signs
- Maps – wayfinding assistance to your event parking area and venue
- Skilled traffic direction – when you need something more than signage
- Parking lot attendant services – student attendants sell or issue parking permits to your guests, assist visitors with mobility impairments, and direct traffic in designated parking lots for up to two consecutive hours at no charge. After two-hour included service, flat rates apply.
As a general rule, parking reservation requests may take up to five (5) business days to properly process and post. Urgent requests may be expedited on a case by case basis. Please note that less than five (5) business days’ notice may result in spaces not being reserved in time for your event. Please plan accordingly.
To reserve event parking, email the TAPS Event Parking Coordinator or call (831) 459-1097.
Event Parking Permit Rates
- Weekday A Permit – $10
- Weekday R Permit – $6
- Weekday Barn Theater – $5
- Night or Weekend – $5
Parking lot attendants can accept cash, credit card, or checks made payable to UC Regents.
Additional Event Services
- Lot Sign (up to two signs per lot) – $30
- Sign (non-lot/sign with barricade) – $30
- Reserved Space, Day (VIP) – Sign and Permit – $30
- Reserved Space, Night (VIP) – Sign and Permit – $25
Please note: To order non-parking signs for your event, submit a Work Order request or call (831) 459-4444.
Attendants
If selling permits, a minimum of two attendants are required. For events with fewer than two consecutive hours of paid parking, the requestor will be assessed the labor cost of the attendants for a minimum of two consecutive hours.
Attendants can direct traffic, sell parking permits, or issue department-paid parking permits. The location of the event and the number of expected attendees will determine how many attendants are needed. For most small- to mid-sized events, two attendants are sufficient.
For events with at least $80 in paid parking
Two attendants are included; additional attendants are billed at $20/hour per attendant.
For events with less than $80 in paid parking
The requester will be assessed the difference between the permit sales and the attendants’ labor cost for at least two consecutive hours.
Late Fees
Fees may be assessed for late notifications or changes:
$50 for new event requests received less than five days before an event
$32 for changes requested less than five days before an event that requires substantial staff time
Need to Transport People?
If you need to transport people to events (on or off campus):
2-12 Passengers
Rent a vehicle from Fleet Services. Rates vary from $50-$94 per day.
Over 12 Passengers
Reserve a UCSC Shuttle and Driver
Tour Bus Parking
The UCSC campus has minimal parking capacity for large buses, all located at the Barn Theater parking lot at the main campus entrance.
If you plan to bring a bus to the campus for a particular event, email the TAPS Event Parking Coordinator at least 5 business days in advance. If you arrive on campus and the Barn Theater lot is full, call (831) 459-1097 to speak with TAPS Event Parking for guidance.
There are two loading zones on campus for dropping off and picking up bus passengers:
Buses are not permitted to pick up or drop off in Quarry Plaza, Hahn Road, or any other undesignated area.
Because two transit systems use our campus, there is a three-minute time limit at the on-campus drop-off areas. If more than one bus is going to arrive at the same time, the drivers will need to stagger their drop-offs and pickups.
Arts Lot 126 Parking
Event Parking (purchase permit from attendant)
For large events, parking lot attendants will be on site to sell permits and direct guests to available parking.
- Weekday events starting prior to 4:30 p.m.: $10
- Weekday events starting after 4:30 p.m.: $5
- Weekend events: $5
ParkMobile Parking
When parking lot attendants are not present in Arts Lot 126, payment via ParkMobile is available.
Weekdays between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
- Up to 3 hours parking at $2.50/hour plus a $0.45 transaction fee
- Available only in designated areas of the lot
Weekday evenings after 4:30 p.m. and weekends
- $5 flat rate plus $0.45 transaction fee
- Any regular, non-reserved space within the lot
Permit Parking
Parking permits or ParkMobile payments are required for parking in Arts Lot 126 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. 7 days/week.
Campus affiliates with valid A permits do not need to pay an additional fee while parking in Arts Lot 126. Campus affiliates holding a valid N permit may park in the lot beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Visitors may purchase a single-day parking permit for $10
- Online at any time (if they have an existing account)
- At the TAPS Sales Office from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekday
Mobile Food Vendor Requests
Mobile Food Vendors (food trucks, food carts, or pop-ups) can enter campus for daily operations or for specific events. To request access, please complete the form below and attach the required documentation. Once the form is submitted, the vendor will be contacted for further steps.
Campus affiliates requesting mobile food vendors for events: Fill out the form and enter your contact information as the sponsoring department.
Questions?
- Contact Real Estate & Contract Services for mobile food vendor contracts/facility use permits.
- Contact Fire Safety & Prevention for open flame permits and mobile food vendor checklists.
- Contact the TAPS Sales Office for mobile food vendor parking permits and locations.
Sustainability for Mobile Food Vendors
Per the UC system Sustainable Practices Policy, all vendors should provide beverages in aluminum cans (preferred) or glass bottles and do not sell beverages in plastic bottles (Sustainable Practices Policy III.F.4.e). Additionally, single-use foodware should be compostable, fiber-based products are preferred (Sustainable Practices Policy III.F.4.d). Check out the Food Truck Essential Guide for additional information.